Page 68 of After Indigo Irish Nights
“Jesus, Bets, this isn’t a garden party. You know, I can interview Mary Kincaid with you if you want to mess with her back. Might be fun to ask her rude questions—”
“I’m loving this idea,” Bets replied, all the while knowing it would be a stupid move. Still, it was fun to pretend.
“That’s not why your face is dark,” he continued. “This is about Donal, isn’t it? I’m a current houseguest so I know he’s been home every night after training hard all day at the boxing club. When I asked him if he was tired of me, he said he was happy for the company. Seemed odd, that.”
It was more than odd. It confirmed her worst fears. Donal was avoiding her and using Linc as a buffer. “Leave it alone, cowboy.”
“As your friend, I can’t do that.” He dragged out a chair with his foot and sat down, cradling his hand.
The kettle whistled. She wished she could unleash her own inner cry like that. “I’m not without compassion.”
He snorted. “Look, I was married—three times. I can read between the lines. You’re not feeling as wanted or appreciated. However, I might point out that Donal’s training has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him finding his purpose in retirement and being a man. I think that’s why he likes me being around. I’m in the same boat, so to speak.”
She threw her hands up. “When does that ever stop? This being a man thing.”
“Damned if I know.” He blew on his hand. “I’m feeling my way through the same mess of retirement garbage but dealing with it differently. I’m helping you build a museum and hopefully a hell of a lot more here. Kathleen and Ellie seem to think I’ve started a whole new career, in fact.”
She started laughing despite herself. “I could have told you that.”
“Good. Then no more talk about me retiring. The added bonus of my new endeavor—I like that word—is I’m helping Ellie, my pride and joy, and this community that’s embraced me wholeheartedly. Your sweet self included.”
“I also knew that, and thank you. I don’t think I could do what we’re planning without you.”
“It’s a big effort. No doubt. Only… You’re realizing there’s more to life than work. You’re feeling a bit left out, is all. Sugar, Donal and the boys haven’t even taken me up on my invitation for another lasso lesson. That’s how busy they are.”
He was full of shit. “Well, I feel so much better now.”
“Lord, Bets. Talk to Donal. He loves you. He’ll adjust. Only you’re going to have to adjust too.”
Adjust, huh? To what? Not having her so-called beau around? Not having him want her anymore? That was so not what she wanted to hear. Pressing her lips together, she poured the boiled water over the grounds and pressed down hard.
“I can’t wait to find you a woman so we can have this conversation with you in the hot seat.”
“That will be the day,” he said in a John Wayne accent.
Her laughter trailed off. She finally decided to ask the question that had been plaguing her. “You interested in this Sophie Giombetti?” she baldly asked as she poured two cups of coffee and brought them over.
“Cradle robbing? God, no!”
His outrage couldn’t be faked. Good. She spooned in some sugar and stirred, cocking a brow. “I could see if Mary Kincaid is still interested in you.”
His glare said it all as he tried the coffee. “Funny. As for Sophie, I think we visit her after the first fight. I want a little more assurance of the council members’ support. We have two of them. I’d like more.”
“And Tom might talk them out of being on our side,” Bets said, her mouth twisting.
“Yes, and I need a little longer to prepare my pitch on lodging for Sophie and her daughter. Your doll-size cottages aren’t going to cut it with the bigwigs.”
She added more sugar to her coffee. “Ideas?”
“I told Donal I think we should ask for planning permission to bring in a few luxury manufactured homes and set them up. Even prefabbed, the options I’ve found fit the bill. We have enough money in the kitty to do it. I imagine the land should be cheap to acquire. Donal has some places in mind that will make people gasp in awe.”
“Artists would want a nice view. I don’t blame them. I like the idea too. It never crossed my mind before because we didn’t have the funds. The added bonus is that a new house won’t have the damp. Once it gets in, there’s no getting it out.”
His face scrunched up. “So I’m finding, the longer I live here. I’m thinking I might get one for myself too, so I have somewhere to hang my hat. I can’t keep staying with Donal—”
“All right,” she said, cutting him off. “Draw up a budget.” She didn’t want to think about what happened when he and Linc weren’t doing their version ofThe Odd Couple. If Donal still didn’t come around, that would mean…
“Already done,” Linc answered, grabbing a biscuit from the tin on the table.
